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King County
Executive Office
Ron Sims, King County Executive 701 Fifth Ave. Suite 3210 Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206-296-4040 Fax: 206-296-0194 TTY Relay: 711
Image: King County Exeutive Ron Sims, News Release

Nov. 6, 2006

Major flooding expected as heavy rain pushes Snoqualmie, Tolt rivers to Phase IV flood alert

The heavy rain that continues to soak King County has pushed the Snoqualmie and Tolt rivers into Phase IV flood alert status, which means that significant flooding could occur along both rivers. Meanwhile, flows on Issaquah Creek have surged to a Phase II flood alert level.

The King County Flood Warning Center, which opened at 12:30 a.m. today, continues to monitor river flows throughout the county. Significant additional rainfall that is expected over the next 24 hours will likely push river levels higher.

A Phase IV flood alert on the Snoqualmie River means some residential areas may experience dangerous high velocities and flooding of homes. On the Tolt River, significant flooding is possible near Carnation, including the potential for levees to overtop. King County flood patrol crews have been in the area and monitoring conditions since daybreak.

As of 1:15 p.m. flows on the Snoqualmie River hit 38,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) at the gage that monitors the sum flow of the North, Middle and South forks of the river – the threshold between a Phase III flood alert and the more serious Phase IV flood alert.

The Tolt River at 12:45 p.m. was flowing at 9360 cfs, well above the 7,000 cfs threshold for a Phase IV flood alert. At its current level, conditions are favorable for significant flooding along the Tolt River near Carnation, including the potential for levees to overtop.

A number of roads are affected by high flows. Problems on county maintained roads can be reported by calling 206-296-8100 or 1-800-KC-ROADS.

King County Surface Water Management services are mobilizing throughout the county. Staff volunteers are at the ready for dispatch to neighborhood flooding sites. King County Water and Land Resources has alerted its roster of private contractors in case King County Roads crews are unavailable to assist at flooding sites.

Home and business owners should clear storm and surface water drains of leaves and other debris, which can clog water flows and lead to flooding. For more information, call King County’s drainage complaint telephone line, 206-296-1900.

A Phase II warning on any major King County river is the level of the county's four-phase warning system at which the Flood Warning Center is activated to monitor lowland flooding. It will remain open and continue to monitor the river flooding until conditions improve. Flood Warning Center staff will monitor stream gauges and weather reports and provide updated information on river conditions as necessary.

Real-time river level information is available online.

King County is advising residents living or traveling in flood-prone areas to continue to monitor weather conditions and be on the look out for road closures. Motorists are reminded never to drive through standing water or around barricades; this is how most lives are lost during flooding.

The King County Emergency Coordination Center is currently activated to a level 1 to monitor and coordinate the response to the potential flooding situation on King County rivers.

Residents in affected areas can get updated information on flooding on the King County Web site, or can visit RPIN, the area's regional Web site.. A recorded flood-information hotline is also updated each hour for citizens wanting information in flood areas. The number is 206-296-8200 or 1-800-945-9263. Citizens who need help interpreting flood information should call 206-296-4535 or 1-800-768-7932.


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  Updated: Nov. 6, 2006